Mum of autistic boy hits out at council over lack of special needs play areas

Backed by mothers of special needs children in her area of East Mains, Jennifer Kerr says local play parks are a vital resource for children with learning difficulties like her four-year-old son Josh and called for answers from the council about its disability play provision in East Kilbride.

Local mums Carol-Ann Wilson with son Jamie (4), Suzie O’Neill with son Lee John (3), Jennifer Kerr with son Josh Sorbie (4) and Brooklyne O’Neill (8) at a play park near Abbotsford Brae.

The mother of an autistic child has challenged the council over its lack of outdoor play facilities for children with special needs.

Jennifer Kerr (44) highlighted the issue this week in support of our Kids Need to Play campaign.

Backed by parents, MSPs Linda Fabiani and Margaret McCulloch and children’s play charity PEEK, we are calling on South Lanarkshire Council to improve East Kilbride’s decaying swing parks.

Jennifer, a single mum-of-four, said she believes local play parks are a vital resource for children with learning difficulties who can’t cope with larger, busier play areas.

Although slightly rundown and lacking in play equipment, she says her local park, in East Mains, is the only place she can take her four-year-old son Josh.

With one in 80 children with autism in the UK, she says there is a growing number of autistic children who can’t cope with the business and noise of the larger play parks.

Jennifer said: “Josh was just diagnosed with autism and doesn’t like noise so small local parks are extremely important for his routine.

“It’s also quite difficult to integrate him with other children without other parents thinking he’s a nightmare and shouldn’t be there because of his behaviour.

“It is difficult enough for parents with special needs kids without the smaller local parks being rundown or taken away altogether.”

Jennifer wants to know if the local authority took the needs of children with disabilities into account when drawing up their five-year investment programme.

As part of its Fixed Play review, completed in 2010, a five year investment programme of £590,000 was identified with approximately £118,000 spent during each of these years throughout South Lanarkshire.

Despite £120,300 being spent revamping play areas in East Kilbride over the last three years the council has once again come under fire for neglecting the town’s play parks.

Since the launch of our campaign, the local authority revealed it plans to spend £45,800 during this financial year and £52,800 in 2015/16.

Jennifer added: “It would be extremely helpful if South Lanarkshire Council could create a new specialised play park solely for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.

“Its important that these children develop social skills so getting them out to play parks is essential.”

Stephen Kelly, head of facilities, waste and ground services, said: “Play provision within South Lanarkshire is designed to be inclusive, providing a wide range of challenging play in a safe, sympathetic and stimulating environment suitable for all abilities. We incorporate items of inclusive play in existing play areas where possible and try to ensure that play equipment chosen does not prohibit the use of a play area for those with physical or other impairments.

“Our aim is to enable children with disabilities to play alongside able-bodied children.”

A new play area is currently being developed in Hairmyres Park boasting inclusive equipment including a sensory panel.

East Kilbride News

Show your support for our Kids Need to Play campaign

Our Kids Need to Play campaign is continuing to gather momentum as hundreds of East Kilbride residents pledge support online.

The News is urging more residents to give our community campaign another big push.

We need the people of East Kilbride to back our campaign by pledging your support.

Our Kids Need to Play campaign will, we hope, push the council to swing into action, restore pride in our parks and aid children’s active and social development.

Pledge your support by signing our online petition at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/kids-need-play-sign-petition-3593730

Alternatively, pick up a copy of the petition at East Kilbride Central Library next to the East Kilbride News letters box.

Recently Published

Mums of special needs children say council bosses are "missing the point" by striving towards inclusive play as they call for outdoor play facilities for children with disabilities or special needs in East Kilbride.